SAULT COLLEGE OF APPLIED ARTS AND TECHNOLOGY
SAULT STE. MARIE, ONTARIO
COURSE OUTLINE
COURSE TITLE:
ADVENTURE ECOTOURISM
CODE NO. :
NRT 233
PROGRAM:
Adventure Recreation and Parks
AUTHOR:
Lawrence Foster
DATE:
Jan 2017
APPROVED:
SEMESTER:
4
PREVIOUS OUTLINE DATED:
Jan 2016
“Sherri Smith”
__________________________________
Chair, Natural Environment, Business,
Media
Jan 2017
_______
DATE
TOTAL CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITE(S):
NONE
HOURS/WEEK:
4 HRS/WEEK X 15 WEEKS
Copyright ©2017 Sault College
Reproduction of this document by any means, in whole or in part, without prior
written permission of Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology is prohibited.
Sherri Smith, Chair, Natural Environment, Business, Media
(705) 759-2554, Ext. 2811
Ecotourism
I.
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NRT 233
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This introductory course provides the student with an overview of the variety and scope
of ecotourism opportunities. Students will be given an opportunity to research topics in
natural and human history of the Algoma District and apply their knowledge by
conducting day-long guided ecotours in the field. Logistical and safety issues will be
experienced and considered in the design of these day tours.
II.
A.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successful completion, the student will demonstrate the ability to do the
following:
1. Describe and apply the criteria that qualify tourism experiences as ecotourism
and as adventure travel.
2. Describe the skills and abilities necessary for a person to be successful in the
tourism business.
3. Describe and identify from selected criteria the types of communities where
ecotourism experiences are likely to be successful.
4. Identify the categories of source materials available to develop knowledge of
local history and culture and use these resources to research the local history
component of an ecotourism experience.
5. Apply ideas from an instructor-led presentation on the various aspects of an
ecotourism experience in an outdoor setting to your ecotourism experience.
6. List and apply the elements of being “hospitable” as related to a tourism
experience.
7. Prepare a plan for a daylong expedition.
8. Prepare a brochure/flyer promoting and informing guests of the tour being
operated in conjunction with the Computer Applications course.
9. Identify appropriate actions/cautions to take to minimize and control risk.
10. Operate tours in an environmentally responsible manner.
11. Conduct a group ecotour of approximately five hours duration.
12. Lead the group ecotour for an equivalent period with your co-tour operators.
13. Explain scenarios in which the dynamics of a tour group are important to the
well being/survival of the group.
14. Explain the concept of visitor activity management programming and relate to
tourism client groups.
15. Describe value-added business opportunities in the tourism field.
16. Describe the challenges of setting up and operating a small business as seen
through the eyes of guest speakers.
Ecotourism
3
B.
Learning Outcomes and elements of the Performance:
1.
Describe and apply the criteria that qualify tourism experiences as
ecotourism and as adventure travel.
NRT 233
Potential elements:
 explain criteria necessary for an experience to be deemed ecotourism
 state necessary components for an ecotourism experience
 define adventure travel
 discuss the combination of education and adventure travel.
2.
Describe the skills and abilities necessary for a person to be successful in the
tourism business.
Potential elements:




3.
discuss the skills required of a graduate of the college’s proposed Ecotourism
program
identify those skills and abilities that are critical to success in ecotourism and
adventure travel.
demonstrate to the best of the individual’s ability, the skills/abilities identified
during class time and during tours
create a video highlighting the clients Eco tour
Describe and identify from selected criteria the types of communities where
ecotourism experiences are likely to be successful.
Potential elements:



4.
discuss criteria of a community that would be a successful host for ecotourism
activity
discuss selected Northern Ontario communities and their potential as host
communities.
explain how the needs of an adventure travel business may be different.
Identify the categories of resource materials available to develop knowledge
of local history and culture and use these resources to research the local
history component of an ecotourism experience.
Ecotourism
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NRT 233
Potential elements:




5.
list the types of libraries most useful in providing resource materials.
visit local library and listen to librarian explain sources and sections with
information on local history and culture.
do the research necessary to relate local history to the tour site for the
student’s group tour.
Use knowledge of local history and culture in ecotourism tour conducted by
your group.
Apply ideas from an instructor-led presentation on the various aspects of an
ecotourism experience in an outdoor setting to student-led ecotours.
Potential elements:




6.
experience one or more tours in outdoor settings to observe how others would
educate tour guests about that area
record ideas from this tour that can be applied to your group’s tour area
research these ideas as related to your area
apply these ideas to your group tour
List and apply the elements of being “hospitable” as related to a tourism
experience.
Potential Elements:




7.
define hospitality
discuss what are the right things to do and the wrong things to do in tourism
to the best of individual ability, use these skills/abilities in the ecotourism
experiences.
demonstrate a professional image throughout the course and particularly
during all tours.
Prepare a plan for a daylong expedition.
Potential Elements:



scout out and establish a suitable area for a group ecotour from sites provided
inventory the area for points of interest geologically and biologically
prepare a route that is timed and incorporates the important sites and points of
interest
Ecotourism



8.
5
NRT 233
develop a detailed script for the tour which incorporates elements of
biology/ecology including impact of abiotic factors such as fire and weather,
geology, European history, and native culture
prepare a brochure which promotes the tour and your company in conjunction
with the Computer Applications course
prepare a lunch plan, which takes advantage of the tour’s theme(s).
Identify appropriate actions/cautions to take to minimize and control
physical and financial risk.
Potential Elements:





9.
examine various potential risk situations that could be encountered in
ecotourism and adventure travel
through role-playing, act out scenarios to address these risky situations to
avert disaster.
research strategies employed to control liability in adventure travel.
discuss the need for insurance and waiver forms to minimize risk
discuss how the forming of partnerships can reduce and spread the risk of
cancellation or non-payment by clients
Operate tours in an environmentally responsible manner.
Potential Elements:


10.
list and describe practices in tourism that maintain environmental quality and
ensure the quality of the experience
apply these practices where appropriate, in the group ecotours
Conduct a group ecotour of approximately five hours duration.
Potential Elements:





conduct a five hour group ecotour on a pre-selected date using the itinerary
and subject script prepared previously
transfer the tour lead to all group members for a equal period of time
plan for and implement transportation logistics, timing of the tour route,
luncheon for the guests and a full slate of interesting points both educational
and recreational
advise guests of details of departure & return and information on what to
bring
incorporate suitable ways to ensure enjoyment of guests
Ecotourism




11.
6
NRT 233
ensure guests are treated in a hospitable manner & are kept busy during the tour
employ appropriate safety and risk control measures
employ suitable environmental responsibility measures
critique tours conducted by classmates
Explain scenarios in which the dynamics of a tour group are important to the
well-being/survival of the group.
Potential Elements:
 discuss situations which would lead to division in a tour group
 implement strategies to ameliorate these situations through role-playing and
discussion
 discuss necessary planning prior to adventure travel tours.
12.
Explain the concept of visitor activity management programming and relate
to tourism client groups.
Potential Elements:
 discuss what visitor activity management programming is
 discuss potential areas of interest that may exist in an ecotourism client group
 develop activity plans for client groups that would ensure desired varied
experiences and suitable activities for rain-out days
13.
Describe value-added business opportunities in the tourism field.
Potential Elements:
 define and describe the variety of value-added business opportunities that are
available/necessary to support tourism ventures
 describe how to encourage/establish these support services
14.
Mandatory Work Placement
Potential Elements:
 students will perform a mandatory work placement of 2 days in length (16
hours) or more.
 the placement should be in a related field as an assistant outdoor recreation
programmer or instructor
 the placement should be with a local business or community group related
to the outdoor industry (Searchmont, Hiawatha Highlands, Bon Soo,
Guiding and outfitting companies…)
Ecotourism
IV.
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NRT 233
REQUIRED RESOURCES/TEXTS/MATERIALS:
Course outline
Students may need steel-toed boots and/or hardhats depending on tour routes selected.
Balance of resources will be provided during course delivery.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE MATERIALS AVAILABLE IN THE
COLLEGE LIBRARY:
Andrews, R.J. 1973. The Great Northern Road. Presentation to Sault Ste. Marie
Historical Society, May 1973. np.
Canadian Heritage, Parks Canada. 1997. Draft for Public Review, Sault Ste. Marie
National Historic Site, Management Plan - September 1997. Sault Ste Marie (ON),
Canadian Heritage, Parks Canada. 49 pp. 3 maps.
Conway, T. 1981. Archeology in Northeastern Ontario, Searching for our Past. Ontario
Min. Culture & Recreation, Toronto. 56 pp.
Crawford, C. 1997 (approx.). The St. Marys River Heritage Water Trail. Friends of the
St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie (ON). np.
Czerwinski, E. 1995. A Birder's Guide to the Sault Ste. Marie Borber Area., Sault Ste.
Marie (ON), Sault Naturalists of Ontario and Michigan. 30 pp.
Environment Canada et al. 1988. The Great Lakes, An Environmental Atlas and
Resource Book. Toronto, Environment Canada, USEPA, Brock Univ. and Northwestern
Univ. 44 pp.
Gutsche, A., B. Chisholm and R. Floren. 1997. The North Channel and St. Mary's River,
a Guide to the History. Toronto, Lynx Images Inc. 296 pp.
Harrington, C.J. 1996. Background Study for the Nomination of St. Mary's River to the
Canadian Heritage Rivers System. Unpublished report. 125 pages, maps, appendices.
Huck, B. 2000. Exploring the Fur Trade Routes of North America. Heartland Assoc.,
Winnipeg. 265 pp.
Knight, R. K. 1998. I Remember When, Sault Ste. Marie, 1896-1978. Markdale (ON),
Phyllis E. Armstrong. 69 pp.
Lynx Images. 1999. “Superior, Under the Shadow of the Gods”, video. 72 min.
May, G. S. 1962. War 1812. Mackinac Island (MI), Mackinac State Historic Parks. 50 pp.
Ecotourism
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NRT 233
Marles. R.J. et al. 2000. Aboriginal Plant Use in Canada’s Northwest Boreal Forest.
Vancouver, UBC Press. 368 pp.
MCTV. approx. 1996. “Our Town, St. Joseph Island/Bruce Mines”, video.
Mohamed, G. H. 1999. Non-Timber Forest Products in Ontario: An Overview. Sault Ste.
Marie, Ontario Forest Research Inst., For. Res. Info. Pap. 145: 64 pp.
Pollett, F. C. 2003. Ontario II: Sault Ste. Marie to Midland, Trans Canada Ecotours.
Ottawa, Canadian Geographic Enterprises. 109 pp.
Pope, R. 1998. Superior Illusions. Natural Heritage/Natural History Inc., Toronto. 126
pp.
Rains, J.R. and E. H. Mole. 1988. St. Joseph Island, A Tour and Historical Guide.
privately published, St. Joseph Is., 66 pp.
Tourism Canada. 1995. Adventure Travel in Canada: An Overview of Product, Market
and Business Potential. Tourism Canada, Canada Directorate (Ottawa) 106 pp, biblio.
Waycik, J. 1998. The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, Ontario, Canada.
Friends of the Sault Canal and Canadian Heritage, Parks Canada, Sault Ste. Marie (ON).
32 pp.
Please refer to your Regional Geology course outline for pertinent Geology references.
V.
EVALUATION PROCESS/GRADING SYSTEM:
LMS Assignments and quizzes
Student Led Eco Tour
Video Assignment
Outings
Log Book
20%
30%
20%
30%
10%
The following semester grades will be assigned to students:
Grade
A+
A
B
C
D
F (Fail)
Definition
90 – 100%
80 – 89%
70 - 79%
60 - 69%
50 – 59%
49% and below
Grade Point
Equivalent
4.00
3.00
2.00
1.00
0.00
Ecotourism
CR (Credit)
S
U
X
NR
W
9
NRT 233
Credit for diploma requirements has been
awarded.
Satisfactory achievement in field /clinical
placement or non-graded subject area.
Unsatisfactory achievement in
field/clinical placement or non-graded
subject area.
A temporary grade limited to situations
with extenuating circumstances giving a
student additional time to complete the
requirements for a course.
Grade not reported to Registrar's office.
Student has withdrawn from the course
without academic penalty.
If a faculty member determines that a student is at risk of not being successful in
their academic pursuits and has exhausted all strategies available to faculty,
student contact information may be confidentially provided to Student Services in
an effort to offer even more assistance with options for success. Any student
wishing to restrict the sharing of such information should make their wishes
known to the coordinator or faculty member.
VI.
SPECIAL NOTES:
Attendance:
Sault College is committed to student success. There is a direct correlation
between academic performance and class attendance; therefore, for the benefit
of all its constituents, all students are encouraged to attend all of their scheduled
learning and evaluation sessions. This implies arriving on time and remaining for
the duration of the scheduled session. <Optional: It is the departmental policy
that once the classroom door has been closed, the learning process has begun.
Late arrivers will not be granted admission to the room.>
Communication with Instructor
All communication with instructor may be done by using email or in person.
[email protected]
705 759 2554 extension 2463
Office J1202
Emails must contain a subject heading and reference the course code or
they will be deleted without response.
Updates and Inclement Weather
Students are expected to check LMS and their Sault College email for updates
and changes to classes and field trips prior to any outing.
Ecotourism
VII.
10
NRT 233
COURSE OUTLINE ADDENDUM:
The provisions contained in the addendum located in D2L and on the
portal form part of this course outline.